Michael Jay Roberson

Family and friends were saddened by the passing of our beloved Michael Jay Roberson on December 4th, 2023, at the age of 46. Michael was born May 14, 1977, at Fort Dix Army Hospital, New Jersey. 

Michael moved with his parents several times. He lived at McGuire AFB, New Jersey from 1977 to 1979; at Stanford University from 1979 to 1981; Colorado Springs, Colorado from 1981 to 1985; Charleston, South Carolina from 1985 to 1988; and Enumclaw, Washington from 1988 to 1995.

Michael graduated from Enumclaw High School in 1995 where he lettered in soccer and swimming, when he also achieved the rank of Eagle Scout. Mike attended Washington State University from 1995 to 1999 on a 4-year Air Force ROTC scholarship. He graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration in 1999.

Mike was commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant, US Air Force through the Reserve Officer Training Corps in December 1999. He served as an Instructor Electronic Warfare Officer on the MC-130E Combat Talon 1 at Duke Field, Florida before completing pilot training at the Euro-NATO Joint Jet Pilot Training, Sheppard AFB, Texas. He then served as an F-16 Instructor and Evaluator Pilot in Kunsan S Korea, Aviano, Italy, and Luke AFB, Arizona. Michael was also multi-qualified in the A-29 and F-16 aircraft.

Michael completed 7 combat deployments and over 1,500 hours of combat flight time from missions in Afghanistan, Iraq, Libya, and the Horn of Africa. He also received Distinguished Graduate recognition during the Euro-NATO Joint Jet Pilot Training, IFF, and USAF Electronic Warfare Training. He served as the Chief of Operations Group Stand Eval at Aviano and acted as the F-16V Subject Matter Expert for Air Force Security Assistance Training Squadron (AFSAT) and the Taiwan Air Force. Michael retired from the Air Force with the rank of Lt. Col. In 2018, Mike joined American Airlines as a First Officer flying the Airbus A320. In August of 2023 he upgraded to Captain on the A320.

Mike met his wife Katie Jo in Phoenix Arizona in 2013. They immediately connected over their mutual love of soccer and kindred zeal for life, travel, and spontaneous adventure. They traveled and explored as much as possible, these opportunities taking them around the country and the world. Mike and Katie Jo were married in July of 2018 with a ceremony to follow with friends and family in one of their favorite places, Whistler, BC in March of 2019.

On April 7th of 2022 they welcomed the birth of their beautiful daughter, Greer Kinsley who was the delight of her father’s life. Gigi has already logged more air miles than most and loves her airplanes; showing that Mike’s love of aviation continues into the next generation.

Mike loved all sports, especially WSU Couger Football and the Seattle Seahawks. He loved all things outdoors: soccer, hiking, and camping. The mountains were a happy place, having climbed Mt. Rainier with his dad in 2001. Mike and his family looked forward to one day splitting their time between Arizona and Montana.

Mike loved his friends and family with deep devotion and genuineness, was funny to a fault and was always the life of the party. He had a ferocious passion for flying and lived his life, like he flew his jets: at full throttle. Mike was a larger-than-life person, and in the words of Bruce Springsteen, “when they built you brother, they turned dust into gold, when they built you brother, they broke the mold.”

Mike’s death has left a Grand Canyon-sized hole in the hearts of all those that loved and knew him. His spirit and enthusiasm for life will always be cherished and remembered.

A condolence to the family contained these words which we wish to share with you: “In times like these I cling to His Promise that His will would never take us where His grace will not sustain us. I hold to that knowing that the One who said it has kept His promises . . . is keeping them . . . and keeping you . . .even today,” Jay Weber, namesake of Michael Jay Roberson.

He is survived by his wife Katie Jo Roberson, his daughter Greer Kinsley Roberson, both of Phoenix Arizona, his parents Bill and Gale Roberson of Plano, Texas and his brother and sister-in-law Andy and Andrea Roberson of St. Michaels, Maryland. He was preceded in death by his Grandparents Olius and Martha Guess and Sid and Marian Roberson.

A memorial service will be held, Wednesday, December 20, 2023, at 2:00 p.m. at Scottsdale Bible Church’s Grace Chapel, 7601 E. Shea Blvd., Scottsdale, Arizona 85260.  A reception will follow immediately following the service. 

Donations may be made in Michael’s memory to Tunnel to Towers at: https://t2t.org/ or Operation Underground Railroad at http://ourrescue.org/